Squash is one of those sports like hot yoga, where sweating is absolutely inevitable! Inside the confines of the court there's no breeze, and often poor ventilation, which, coupled with repeated sprints, is a recipe for drenched clothes.
I don't know about you, but I don't love doing laundry every day- mainly because I'm $$ conscious, but also hate putting clean clothes away. Unfortunately, this can lead to a buildup of sweat smell which can be hard to get out of clothes after a while!
After trying several laundering methods, I've finally come up with a combination that seems to work. The best part about this counterintuitive method? It's not expensive or time consuming!
How to Wash Your Clothes to Get Rid of the Sweat Smell
1. Air your dirty laundry!
Whatever you do, don't forget about your sweaty clothes in a plastic bag. Also, if you can help it, try not to pile them on top of each other in the hamper. I kind of "hang" my clothes on the outside of the hamper, which doesn't look very appealing, but at least then the clothes dry out instead of being smothered underneath other items.
2. Turn your clothes inside out
Make sure you turn your clothes inside out before washing, so the water & soap can reach the fabric that's been in direct contact with your skin (and therefore sweat...).
3. Soak in white vinegar
I seriously never thought I'd actually do this, because I used to think this step was a huge hassle. Simply chuck your clothes in the bathtub, fill with cold water so it covers the clothes, and then dump in 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Stir it around a bit and let the clothes soak for 30 mins (although I've left them in for longer). After the clothes have soaked, squeeze them to drain out excess liquid, then immediately transfer them to the washing machine.
4. Wash your clothes within 3-4 days
Laundry day for me used to be once a week, but I've started to do laundry twice a week, and it's really helped keep my newer workout clothes in good shape. Also, this reduces the size of the load, which means the clothes can actually get washed properly!
5. Avoid washing workout clothes with normal clothes
Your smelly clothes could infect your day clothes. Just keep 'em separate.
6. Add BAKING SODA to your wash
After a lot of research and experimenting, I found that baking soda was the best deodorizer for sweaty clothes. Simply add a generous amount (I think you could add a 1/2 cup) to the washing machine when you put your clothes in.
7. More detergent is NOT the answer!
I used to add LOTS of detergent to the wash, and was frustrated it didn't make a difference. (Apparently more detergent just gets in the way and actually makes it too sudsy!)
I've started using less detergent (less than the full "cup"), and adding baking soda, and that combination has worked really well.
8. Use a sports detergent
If you do NOTHING else, buy a sports specific detergent. Personally, I use Tide Sports detergent, but I've also heard good things about Nathan's Sports Wash.
Other tips:
- I haven't found a significant difference when doing Quick Wash vs Regular/Heavy wash. Just something to note if you're tight on time or money.
- I also haven't found a significant difference when washing with cold vs hot water. Another thing to note if you are trying to save on your electricity bill!
Final note:
As much as I'd like to say that this method is 100% effective, sometimes you just need to say goodbye to your old and most weary items. If you try out these methods and your clothes still stink, say good bye!
Disclaimer: There are some affiliate links included in this post, but all opinions are my own, and unsponsored. Thank you for your support!
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